Level 1 driving warning issued; state of emergency in effect

Gov. Matthew Meyer issued a Level 1 Driving Warning statewide effective immediately, following an earlier state of emergency decree.  The driving warning will remain until further notice and may be replaced by increased restrictions if road conditions worsen through the night. Restrictions are in place to keep emergency responders and other essential motorists safe by minimizing nonessential travel during severe weather and perilous road conditions. declared a State of Emergency, effective at noon, Sunday, Feb. 22.  The State of Emergency allows state agencies to mobilize, prepare and respond to the storm, including activation of the Delaware National Guard. 

A Level 1 Driving Warning means any person operating a motor vehicle shall exercise extra caution in the operation of their motor vehicle and motorists are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle on the state’s roadways unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so. 

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency will be fully activated beginning 5 p.m. Sunday and will coordinate response efforts with the State Emergency Operations Center, the National Guard, the Delaware Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Delaware State Police, National Weather Service, local counties and the governor’s office. The Joint Information Center has also been activated. 

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for all of Delaware from Sunday to Monday. Officials said there is potential for an historic winter storm through Monday bringing 12 to 20 inches of snow. Widespread closures and impacts to infrastructure are likely, officials said.

State-mandated driving restrictions could also be coming, officials said, to keep motorists and emergency responders safe by minimizing nonessential travel during severe weather and perilous road conditions.